Luxury homes refusal overturned on appeal

Ben O’Connell

A luxury development of 39 properties on a site at the northern gateway to Morpeth has been given the go-ahead on appeal.

The scheme, for executive homes at Peacock Gap, on land south of The Dell in Fulbeck, was unanimously thrown out in February by Northumberland County Council’s north area planning committee.

The authority’s planning officers had recommended approval, but councillors opted to refuse the proposal based on its height, mass and design, and highways safety.

The latter related to the site’s access via the extremely sharp-angled junction onto Fulbeck Lane from the A192, but the issues of highways safety and character and appearance were rejected by Planning Inspector Wenda Fabian.

And the decision comes after it was revealed in the summer that the site immediately to the south is earmarked for up to 50 new homes.

In July, Charles Church (part of the Persimmon Group) held a consultation drop-in session with residents in relation to its initial proposals for the site.

For its part, developer Story Homes says that its development of 39 four and five-bedroom homes will meet an identified need for high-end housing in the area, as well as providing employment opportunities as construction gets underway.

Sarah Armstrong, North East head of land and planning at Story Homes, said: “We’re excited that we’ve been granted permission to build the new set of luxury homes.

“Morpeth is a sought-after rural location with excellent services and schools, while being well connected to Newcastle.

“The market demand for high-quality housing exists and Story Homes looks forward to meeting this as development commences in spring 2016.”

Planning permission was obtained by the development team at George F White, which managed the project from the beginning for both Story Homes and the landowners.

Stephanie Linnell, planning consultant at George F White, said: “We are delighted that the development, which is in a fantastic location at the entrance to Morpeth, has been given the green light.

“The recent changes in government legislation around planning and development have led to a real shift in emphasis towards housing delivery, which is the most significant I have seen in more than 20 years of practice.

“I’m delighted that George F White was able to assist in securing the delivery of this large-scale, high-quality, residential development.”